NBA Rumors: Kings, Domantas Sabonis, Mavericks, Kai Jones, Lakers, Dalton Knecht

Kings

While several Kings veterans — among them Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, and Zach LaVine — are considered potential trade chips this summer, star center Domantas Sabonis appears to be staying put.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, Sabonis has shown no signs of requesting a trade despite some initial speculation following the Kings’ playoff exit. Speaking on The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross, Amick said the three-time All-Star has been engaged and receptive with Sacramento’s new front office, led by general manager Scott Perry.

“So far, he’s been signaling patience and had good conversations with the new front office,” Amick said.

The Kings recently acquired Dennis Schroder in a sign-and-trade with the Pistons — an addition that could help stabilize the backcourt and ease the workload on Sabonis, who led the league in double-doubles this past season.

“The Schroder move to me is an interesting one in the context of Domas,” Amick added, “because for the short term, I could see Domas saying, ‘Listen, I just want to feel like I have a chance every night, and now you’ve got me a point guard.’”

Still, Amick noted that the roster construction remains a work in progress.

“They’ve still got to figure out the fact that you have so many guys who like to score the ball, and Domas wants to get back to the higher usage that he had a couple years ago,” he said. “So it’s still not even close to perfect, but it’s enough that nobody’s causing a ruckus and they’re just trying to wait and see what the roster looks like in the next couple months.”

Sabonis, who averaged 19.4 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 8.2 assists last season, remains the cornerstone of Sacramento’s frontcourt, and for now, all signs point to that continuing.

Mavericks

The Mavericks have expressed interest in potentially signing free agent center/forward Kai Jones, per Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal.

But as Afseth noted, that likely can’t happen unless Dallas makes some corresponding roster moves.

As it stands, the Mavericks have 16 players under contract following the re-signing of Dante Exum.

One option, per Afseth, could be to move Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who is viewed as having Dallas’ most movable contract. Prosper is set to earn about $3 million next season and has no guaranteed money beyond 2025-26.

— The Mavericks announced that assistant Josh Broghamer will coach their Summer League squad. No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg is expected to play the first two games.

Lakers

Second-year wing Dalton Knecht is suiting up for the Lakers’ summer squad and sounds excited about the opportunity, as relayed by Khobi Price of the Orange County Register.

“Just showing what I can do,” Knecht said. “Feel like I kind of showed a little bit throughout my rookie year, but just keep building on top of that.”

Knecht averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 rebounds, shooting 37.6 percent on 3-pointers in 78 games as a rookie. He was traded to the Hornets in the Mark Williams deal in February — but the deal fell apart after Williams failed a physical. (Williams has since been traded to the Suns.)

Knecht admittedly was a bit blindsided by the trade, but said he remains committed to the Lakers and coach JJ Redick.

“After the season we had a talk and stuff like that,” Knecht said of Redick. “And we’ve been doing a workout. We’ve got lunch and stuff. Just talking and getting to know each other more and then being able to communicate with each other. That’s the most important thing. Then, obviously, JJ is a great shooter and we’ve just been doing shooting drills and stuff like that. It’s good just getting to the gym with your head coach. Learn from him, because he’s a great shooter as well.”

Sources have told Hoops Wire the Lakers intend to hang onto Knecht, though would also be their most likely trade chip if they are to strike an offseason deal.

— One rumor suggests that LeBron James wants to leave the Lakers, and that the Lakers would be OK with it. We’re skeptical. Anyway, we have the full story here.